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Sherri Garrett responds to Hickey report

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Illinois

* Press release…

Sherri Garrett, long-time staffer in Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s office, who spoke out in in June 2018 about multiple instances of harassment and bullying, as well as improper handling of harassment claims by former Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, gave the following statement in response to the report on workplace culture in the Speaker’s Office released today, which prominently featured her story:

“Today has been difficult for me reliving the events that led me to make my harassment complaint and the ordeal of the complaint process. I am not a public person, but I felt I had no choice but to make my harassment complaint public if I wanted anything to change.

“I thank Ms. Hickey for her work in substantially confirming my allegations against Mr. Mapes and for providing concrete recommendations to Speaker Madigan on how to improve the culture in Springfield. I loved my job with the Illinois House of Representatives, and I was proud to serve the people of Illinois. I truly hope that the workplace culture changes so that people doing this important work are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

“I also want to thank State Representative Kelly Cassidy for her leadership, guidance and friendship during this process. Without her, I am not sure I could have come forward publicly. The people of Illinois owe her a debt a gratitude for the work she is doing on sexual harassment issues.”

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 20, 19 @ 3:27 pm

Comments

I can’t help but think of all the people who faced abuse and harassment over the years and suffered in silence, or had their careers ruined when they dared to complain privately. Literally makes me sick to my stomach.

Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Aug 20, 19 @ 3:43 pm
I just hope that neanderthals like Kevin Quinn are held accountable for their actions. We must rid the work place of these predators.

Comment by F beazzy Eye Tuesday, Aug 20, 19 @ 4:16 pm
Ms. Garrett was on the receiving end of a lewd remark suggesting that unwanted sexual attention was indeed wanted.

This points to one of the deeper cultural issues griping the Capitol, explored by Hickey, and for which there are no easy answers nor scapegoats.

Lawmakers and lobbyists in sexual relationships, oftentimes extramarital, often involving relationships of disproportionate power.

Hickey suggests restrictions on fraternizing, I don’t hear anyone jumping up and down in favor of that.

Comment by Thomas Paine Tuesday, Aug 20, 19 @ 7:33 pm
Sherri has a lot of courage and integrity, from what I know, and has done a lot for women in state government and politics to come. I don’t know her, but I understand that she was universally liked and respected by her work colleagues. Didn’t know she had retired. Well done, Sherri, well done.

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 20, 19 @ 10:18 pm
Madigan had to have an inkling of Mapes management style so he is guilty of turning a blind eye to it and allowing it to happen for decades so he is just as guilty.

Comment by Arock Thursday, Aug 22, 19 @ 9:00 am